The Magic of Inquiry and Intent

Music & Other Gems Nov 7-10, 2016 – Your Relationship to Now

All the playlists from the week are below or you can listen to them by going to Spotify! Rock out for free at Spotify! Sign up for free, follow me at “susanmcculley” and you’ll find my public playlists ~ just click and listen!
And first the announce-y things:

• heARTful: a space for the artist in everybody ~ a 3-minute survey
Rebecca George and I are launching a new creative adventure and we would love your input! Please take this 3-minute, 3-question survey: let’s build it together! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YT9R3VJ

• TEDx Charlottesville: The Power of One on Friday, November 11
I’m delighted to be a small part of the big event of TEDx Charlottesville on November 11. It’s my honor, privledge and excitement to be coaching two of the amazing line-up of speakers: Lulu Miller and Monica Montgomery.
You can listen to the work of Lulu Miller by checking out her Invisibilia podcast on NPR. I’ve been loving the new season that explores the invisible things that shape our lives. All the episodes are excellent but I think my favorite was The Problem with the Solution.
And check out some of Monica Montgomery’s heart-stopping projects as the founding director of the Museum of Impact, the world’s first mobile social justice museum, and the co-founder of and strategic director for Museum Hue, a platform advancing the visibility and viability of professionals of color, in museums, arts, and culture, and creative careers.
Tickets for this inspiring day are available now! Please join us for TEDx Charlottesville!

• SPACES LEFT! Going Below The Surface: Nia, Yin Yoga & Words Saturday, November 12, 1-4pm
REGISTER NOW, November 12, 1-4pm. Explore this focus in a special workshop — Going Below The Surface — that I’ll be teaching with Yin Yoga Instructor, Amy Kidd on Saturday, November 12 from 1-4pm at acac Albemarle Square. I will lead simple, varied, energetic movements to warm and mobilize the body: particularly the hips, core and shoulders. Amy will then take us through a series of Yin yoga poses designed to release muscle, fascia and other connective tissue in the core with long, supported holds. Interwoven through the afternoon, as energy is released and the body/mind relaxes, will be opportunities to write – either journaling or using simple provided prompts. Plan now to take an afternoon to breathe deep and see what lies below the surface.
Space is limited. Register now at either acac Albemarle Square (434.978.3800) or Downtown (434.984.3800) ~ NOV 12 WORKSHOP IS AT ALBEMARLE SQUARE!
$60 members, $65 non-members

• Thanksgiving Day Nia with Susan! Thursday, Nov 24, 8:30-9:30am
Start your day of gratitude with dancing! Join Susan for an inspired hour of mindful movement and enthusiastic tail-feather shaking on Thursday, November 24 from 8:30-9:30am (not 8:40am, y’all). Bring a friend or visiting family ~ guests come for FREE on the holiday! Or sneak out for a little sweaty You Time. Happy Thanksgiving!

• Celebrating Slow: Donation-based Nia at Buck Mountain Open to everyBody ~ December 2, 6-7pm
“Sometimes I think there are only two instructions we need to follow to develop and deepen our spiritual life: slow down and let go.”
― Oriah Mountain Dreamer
Contrary to Nature’s rhythm in this season, the winter holidays come upon us at breakneck speed. Layered on top of already busy lives are parties and performances, cooking and customs, shopping and wrapping that have us running from November to January.
Slow down. Get clear. Be intentional about what you are doing and where you are going. Approach the season as you would a small child: gently, slowly and with an open heart.
Bring a friend. All are welcome regardless of age, experience, fitness level … anything! Donations support the Buck Mountain Health & Wellness Ministry which is doing great work for both the congregation and the community!
For more details and to RSVP, go here.https://www.facebook.com/events/1005937516202153/1005937536202151/?notif_t=like&notif_id=1478023288853680
“For fast acting relief, try slowing down.”
― Lily Tomlin

• dance.sit.create. day-treat on Saturday, Feb 18, 2017, 8:30am-5pm
We’ll be at it again – dancing.sitting.creating. together — on Saturday, Feb 18 (snow date, March 4) at Buck Mountain Episcopal Parish Hall, 4133 Earlysville Rd, Earlysville, VA 22936
What better way to spend a winter day than in giving power and time to your unique creativity? As a human being, you are an artist. While we can’t make creativity happen, we can provide fertile terrain for inspiration to land and take root. In this supportive, delicious, fun experience, step into your own creative life. Join Susan McCulley, Nia Black Belt, mindfulness teacher, writer and artist for a day-treat playing at the intersection of movement, stillness and your artist self. If you have dance.sit.created before, new surprises await. If not, this is the perfect time to join us.
Susan provides guidance and inspiration for the day. Rebecca George’s Dragonfly Kitchen provides extraordinary vegetarian, gluten-free, seasonal food (tea, snack, lunch). ALSO INCLUDED is a new 6-week series of music, meditations, and prompts to keep the flow of the day going. Early Bird: $100 if registered by December 15. Late Bird: $125 if registered by February 15. Limited to 20 participants. Go here for all the details and to register http://www.susanmcculley.com/shop/w9knh9ft0g5o6c7jwh6741t07b0t5o

• Art prints now available on Susan’s web site!
New art now available on my web site! Inspired by the dance.sit.create. retreats, these pieces are part meditation, part inspiration, part poetry. Printed on heavy matte paper with original signatures, may they be reminders for creative connection. Free shipping to US addresses. For other options, please inquire! http://www.susanmcculley.com/shop/

As always, please let me know if you have questions or how I can help more.
Dance on. Shine on.

*** PLAYLIST NOTE: My playlists can also be found on Spotify https://www.spotify.com/us/ by following “susanmcculley” (no space) and look for Public Playlists. Sometimes music is not available on Spotify so I may replace with another version or skip songs . ***

How to Defeat Fear by Pema Chödrön
“Once there was a young warrior. Her teacher told her that she had to do battle with fear. She didn’t want to do that. It seemed too aggressive; it was scary; it seemed unfriendly. But the teacher said she had to do it and gave her the instructions for the battle. The day arrived. The student warrior stood on one side, and fear stood on the other. The warrior was feeling very small, and fear was looking big and wrathful. They both had their weapons. The young warrior roused herself and went toward fear, prostrated three times, and asked, ‘May I have permission to go into battle with you?’ Fear said, ‘Thank you for showing me so much respect that you ask permission.’ Then the young warrior said, ‘How can I defeat you?’ Fear replied, ‘My weapons are that I talk fast, and I get very close to your face. Then you get completely unnerved, and you do whatever I say. If you don’t do what I tell you, I have no power. You can listen to me, and you can have respect for me. You can even be convinced by me. But if you don’t do what I say, I have no power.’ In that way, the student warrior learned how to defeat fear.”

May the roots of suffering diminish. May warfare, violence,
neglect, indifference, and addictions also decrease.
May the wisdom and compassion of all beings increase, now
and in the future.
May we clearly see all the barriers we erect between ourselves
and others to be as insubstantial as our dreams.
May we appreciate the great perfection of all phenomena.
May we continue to open our hearts and minds, in order to
work ceaselessly for the beneﬁt of all beings.
May we go to the places that scare us.
May we lead the life of a warrior.
~ Pema Chodron, The places That Scare You, A Guide to Fearlessness in Difﬁcult Times

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Hi Corinne ~ my playlists run the spectrum of HQ routines, to my original routines, to music I’ve choreographed using HQ katas. If you have any specific songs you’re wondering about I’m happy to tell you what I do! ❤